Casey McHugh request update of payment options at Shrewsbury St. parking lot for Union Station to be able to accept payment through a flexible spending account and to accept payment through a smart phone application.

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI request to relocate an obstructive existing street light pole closer to the curb on Institute Rd. so it is the same distance to the curb as at all other locations, along the wrought iron fence at Alumni Field.

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI, request to rescind the left turn prohibition in Salisbury St. inbound at Grove St. and to allow a left turn at this location by installing a green arrow in the existing traffic signal. (see attached map).

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI, request to rescind the left turn prohibition in Salisbury St. inbound at Lancaster St. and to allow a left turn at this location by installing a green arrow in the existing traffic signal. (see attached map).

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI, request to remove two parking meters and spaces in the east side of Lancaster St. near the intersection of Faraday St. to increase sightlines for motorists and pedestrians. (see attached map).

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI, request to install a button-activated solar-powered crossing signal in Salisbury St. at the private driveway formerly named West St. (see attached)

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI, request to install solar-powered strobe Stop Signs facing eastbound and westbound traffic in Institute Rd. at Dean St., at Boynton St. and at West St. (see attached map)

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI, request to install two handicap parking spaces in the north side of Institute Rd. on either side of the crosswalk nearest to Morgan Hall, 100 Institute Rd. (see attached map)

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI, request to install a new crosswalk in Salisbury St. at the driveway entrance to the WPI parking garage and correlating handicap accessible ramp in the curb on the north side of Salisbury St. both located between John Wing Rd. and First Baptist Church. (see attached map)

Alfredo DiMauro, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at WPI, request to install "No Parking" areas or "Crosshatching Areas" 25 feet either side of select crosswalks in Salisbury St., Institute Rd., Boynton St., Dean St., Lancaster St. and Prescott St. within and/or adjacent to the WPI campus.

William S. Coleman III request City Council have Election Commission look at the possibility of software that would allow Worcester voters to vote by proportional representation as does Cambridge, Mass.

William S. Coleman III request City Council hold a town meeting with residents to discuss future goals for the City of Worcester and inviting community residents, non profits, businesses and educational institutions to share their ideas.

The City Solicitor provided City Council with a new corrected version of the ordinance because there were Scribner errors.
Councilor Russell moved to amend the Ordinance to allow smoking 100 feet from an entrance of a health care facility.
Councilor Russell withdrew his previous motion and moved to amend: That the proposed ordinance relative to the distribution and use of tobacco products be amended by adding “except in a designated area to allow smoking by the medical facility”. Councilor Russell’s motion denied on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 8 Nays (Yeas – Gaffney, Russell) (Nays – Bergman, Economou, Palmieri, Rivera, Rosen, Rushton, Toomey, Petty) (see item #17k)
Voted to advertise proposed ordinance as amended by the City Solicitor on a roll call vote of Ten Yeas and No Nays (Lukes absent)
Councilor Rushton moved for Reconsideration – Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote of 0 Yeas and 10 Nays. (Lukes absent)

At the request of the City Manager, Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Matilde Castiel and Director of Public Health Karyn E. Clark made the attached Presentation to City Council. They along with Dr. Hirsch answered questions by City Council.
Councilor Rushton moved to put forward the following Resolution: That the City Council does hereby support and is in favor of the city’s efforts to address the opiate epidemic as encompassed with the presentation (see attached) brought before City Council by the Department of Public Health and the Health Board. (see item #17c)
Councilor Gaffney moved to “Request City Manager provide to City Council with previously requested data for the last ten years concerning HIV and Hepatitis cases resulting from the use of contaminated needles reported in Worcester.” (see item #17d)
Councilor Bergman moved to “Request City Manager provide data as to whether or not having a needle exchange program increases the opportunity for people to become addictive.” (see item #17e)
Councilor Lukes moved to put forward the following Resolution: That the City Council does hereby urge the Governor, any Federal and State Officials and the MMS/AMA to pursue the prohibition of the advertisement of certain opioid/prescription drugs to consumers/patients.(see item #17f)
Councilor Toomey moved to “Request the City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Health to include educating administrators of school athletic programs opioid abuse prevention as it relates to dance and sport injuries." (see item #17g)
Councilor Gaffney moved to Table Under Privilege Councilor Rushton’s Resolution.
Councilor Bergman moved to Table Under Privilege Councilor Lukes's Resolution.
Councilor Bergman moved to “Request the City Manager request the City Solicitor to provide an opinion as to whether or not Councilor Lukes’s Resolution (item #17f ) meets the threshold for Council’s consideration in accordance to the Rules of City Council.” (see item #17h)
Mayor Petty moved to Table this Under Privilege.
Tabled Under Privilege - Petty

10.18

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Elder Affairs

A.

Recommend adoption of an Order to authorize a lease amendment for a tenant at the Worcester Senior Center.

Recommend that Five Hundred Four Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Two Dollars And No Cents ($504,522.00) be transferred from Account #91C780D, Police Capital Equipment, to Account #25C701, Police Equipment, when and as received.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

C.

Recommend that Five Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Dollars And No Cents ($5,280.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C731A, Water Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, when and as received, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this equipment.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

D.

Recommend that Two Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($2,250,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7111A, Building Rehabilitation City & Schools, and be appropriated to Account #04C754, Citywide/Schools Energy Improvements, to fund current and anticipated expenses associated with citywide energy improvements.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

E.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7150A, Dam Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C707, Dam Safety, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

F.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7393B, Sewer/Interceptor, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C751, Sewers/Interceptor Inspection, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

H.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C724B, Traffic Signal Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #40C704, Traffic Signals, to allow for the purchase and payment of anticipated new equipment.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

I.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thirteen Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Dollars And No Cents ($213,820.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C734A, Sewer Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C704, Sewer Capital Equipment, when and as received, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this equipment.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

K.

Recommend that Four Thousand One Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($4,100.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C731A, Water Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, when and as received, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this equipment.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

10.32

FINANCE ITEMS
Grants and Donations

A.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a grant application for up to Twenty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($20,000.00) through the TD Bank Green Streets program at the Arbor Day Foundation.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes, Toomey absent)

B.

Recommend that Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($20,000.00) be transferred from Account #14SSFD41, CDBG Finance Salary & Fringe, and be appropriated to various CDBG Admin accounts, to provide funding for operational expenses through June 30, 2016.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes, Toomey absent)

10.35

FINANCE
Loan Orders

10.36

MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS

11.

COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY AUDITOR

11a.

Transmitting unaudited financial reports on the budgetary basis for results of operations in Fiscal Year 2015 for the General and Enterprise Funds (Schedules A through B-3). Also attached are summaries of the activities in the Special Revenue, Capital Project, Debt Service and Trust Funds (Schedules C-1 through C-5).

Request City Manager report to Council concerning what responsibility and authority the city has, and what penalties we can use to require owners of buildings and vacant lots to keep those properties safe, secure, free of overgrowth, litter, dumping, sharps, rodents and homeless encampments, among others. (Rosen)

Councilor Rosen moved to Table this Under Privilege.
Tabled Under Privilege - Rosen

12b.

In the ongoing effort to keep our commercial corridors cleaner and more vibrant, request City Manager propose a comprehensive program to purchase a sufficient number of "smart" solar-powered Big Belly trash receptacles with recycling units installed. The cost of purchase and regular emptying of these modern receptacles, which can send Department of Public Works & Parks a text message when full, could be reduced through sponsorships, with appropriate advertising signage, by local businesses. (Rosen)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to work in cooperation with neighborhood residents, groups and stakeholders, to propose, plan and conduct a comprehensive data-driven traffic and parking study for the Worcester State University and Chandler Magnet School neighborhood. (Rosen)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks devise and install a secure locking mechanism on the dam at the spill way for the control of the water level on Indian Lake. (Economou)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a thorough accounting of the cost of adding the driving range at Green Hill Park Golf Course: Will it generate enough income to recoup the cost of the range in a fair amount of time and will it generate enough income to cover the deficit the course now generates? (Economou)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks inspect and report regarding the concerns of residents of Arbutus Road relative to the grading of asphalt at curb/driveway cutouts and the widths of sidewalks. (Bergman, Economou)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks report concerning the feasibility of using technology to relay to City residents the timing of snowplowing routes to avoid getting “plowed in”. (Bergman)

Councilor Bergman moved to Table this Under Privilege.
Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman

12h.

Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to provide City Council with a legal opinion as to authority for any councilor(s) to request items held in committee to be brought forward and whether or not (Worcester Home Rule Charter: Section 2-6 (c)(ii) (Exercise of Powers; Quorum) is/are applicable. (Bergman)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Report of the Committee on Public Works Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the discontinuance and abandonment of a portion of Franklin St.: recommend to accept recommendation of the Planning Board and adoption of the accompanying Order.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

13b.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Attorney Donald J. O'Neil on behalf of Houston Brothers, LLC request to abandon and release water and sewer easements retained by the City at the time of abandonment of Fulton St. by Decree signed July 9, 1976 in that portion of the former Fulton St. running east from Summer St. to State Layout #4668 that locates the westerly taking line for the Worcester Expressway I-290: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

13c.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Margaret LaComfora request abatement of street betterment assessment #25124 in the amount of $11,211.35 for Tyson Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order for partial abatement resulting in a new assessment of $5,069.48.

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

13d.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of the Willows at Worcester request West Chester St. from 101 Barry Rd. to Barry Rd. Extension be converted from a private to public road, in the interest of public safety: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of William O’Connell request sidewalk replacement in front of 41 Marland Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Quinsigamond Village Bike Spur: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the 2015 Pavement Markings Program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Cambridge Street - Low Bridge/Over-height Vehicles Warning Devices: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of May 2015: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of June 2015: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending July 31, 2015: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen request the street in front of the wheel chair ramp at the corner of Westview Rd. and Chamberlain Parkway be patched and that the granite curb next to the aforementioned ramp be reset: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

ORDER - That City Council, at its meeting on October 27, 2015, suspend its rules to include on the November 10, 2015 council agenda, as a reasonably anticipated item, a Report from the Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee regarding the City Manager’s recommendation for approval of a proposed amendment to the Conservation Restriction at Green Hill Park, item #8.8C on the City Council agenda for October 13, 2015.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending approval of a proposed amendment to the Conservation Restriction at Green Hill Park: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Councilor Gaffney moved to Table this Under Privilege.
Tabled Under Privilege - Gaffney

15.

TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE

15a.

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting communication regarding an audit of the administration of the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund (PWTF) grant for all eleven organizations receiving funds. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes October 27, 2015)

Councilor Lukes moved to Table this Under Privilege for a second time. Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote.
Tabled Under Privilege on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera, Toomey absent)

16.

TABLED ITEMS

16a.

RESOLUTION of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support of the Administration’s efforts to negotiate the maximum hiring of local residents in Tax Increment Financing agreements and other tools used to attract business and to expand our tax base. (Tabled - O'Brien September 13, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Out of State Residents Working on Local Projects and Not Meeting the State's Health Care Mandates. (Tabled Under Privilege - O'Brien August 14, 2012 and Tabled - Lukes September 4, 2012)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Manager request the School Department share in the cost for providing police services during the presidential visit. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes June 17, 2014 and Tabled July 22, 2014)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the number of properties in areas surrounding Holy Cross, Clark University, Becker College and WPI that are listed as having true four-bedroom units. (Tabled - Bergman August 19, 2014)

PETITION of Frank Kartheiser et al on behalf of the Worcester Community-Labor Coalition request City Council hold public hearings starting in October on charter change and that at the conclusion of the hearings the Council takes a vote on holding an election to let the voters decide Worcester's future form of government. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes August 19, 2014 and Tabled - Petty September 16, 2014)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager provide information from the City Solicitor as to what steps are available to enforce breaches of the Services Agreement with Laz Parking Limited, LLC in regards to City owned parking garages, specifically the Federal Plaza Parking Garage. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2015, Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 13, 2015 and Tabled - Bergman January 20, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Tony Economou and Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Manager provide information from the City Assessor, Chief Financial Officer and City Solicitor as to the assessed real property values of all City owned parking garages, the amount of debt, if any, the anticipated repairs and/or capital improvements costs for fiscal year(s) 2015/2016 and the existing lease commitments/terms for spaces in these garages. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2015, Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 13, 2015 and Tabled - Bergman January 20, 2015)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Order of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney request City Manager consider amending the Five Point Financial Plan to require that any increases in local aid received from the Commonwealth be assigned to the Other Post Employment Benefit Trust Fund: recommend Order be placed on file. (Tabled - Gaffney June 16, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen and Councilor Philip P. Palmieri - Request City Manager inform City Council as to whether he and other representatives from the city intend to meet with the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox to see if they have any interest in relocating to Worcester. (Tabled - Gaffney September 29, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning the status of the Home Rule Petition draft to aid Joseph Tortorelli as a result of errors made by the city of Worcester in applying tax payments. (Tabled - Bergman September 29, 2015)

Motion Rushton @ #14a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of capital improvements made to all city parks including costs and funding sources. Further, request the City Manager provide City Council with the cost of the road leading to the Clubhouse at the Green Hill Golf Course which was funded within the budget for Green Hill Park Golf Course.

RESOLUTION by Councilor Frederick C. Rushton - That the City Council does hereby support and is in favor of the city’s efforts to address the opiate epidemic as encompassed with the presentation (see attached) brought before City Council by the Department of Public Health and the Health Board.

Councilor Gaffney moved to Table Under Privilege.
Tabled Under Privilege - Gaffney

17d.

Motion Gaffney @ #10.17A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with previously requested data for the last ten years concerning HIV and Hepatitis cases resulting from the use of contaminated needles reported in Worcester.

RESOLUTION by Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - That the City Council does hereby urge the Governor, any Federal and State Officials and the MMS/AMA to pursue the prohibition of the advertisement of certain opiates/prescription drugs to consumers/patients.

Councilor Bergman moved to Table this Under Privilege.
Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman

17g.

Motion Toomey @ #10.17A CM - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Health to include educating administrators of school athletic programs opioid abuse prevention as it relates to dance and sport injuries.

Motion Bergman @ #10.17A CM - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to provide an opinion as to whether or not Councilor Lukes’s Resolution (item #17f ) meets the threshold for Council’s consideration in accordance to the Rules of City Council.

Motion Economou @ #10.6A CM - Request City Manager forward to the Lincoln Street area businesses a copy of the City Manager’s Communication relative to an update of the Lincoln Street Phase II Transportation Improvement Project (TIP).

Motion Economou @ #10.6A CM - Request City Manager consider allowing for collection of trash & recyclables from condo/townhome style properties as a pilot program for a year to see how it works out and how it effects the cost relative to trash collection. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a list of condo/townhome communities and how are the classified.

Motion Russell @ 10.13A CM - That the proposed ordinance relative to the distribution and use of tobacco products be amended by adding “except in an area for smoking designated by the medical facility”.